DRB Bramling Beauty / Yeast 'Healthy Debate'

[J_P]

Impressed

[Wez]

This is what it looked like 4hrs after pitching, I think that this is the quickest i've had a fermentation start.



I also used Whirlfloc today and was really amazed at how much break material there was after cooling (pic below)

[Wez]

And 5hrs in....

I can see loads of 'yeasty fireworks' shooting up from the bottom of the FV, quite entertaining really.....but also a little sad.

[Wez]

You can stop now Wez

So it looks like DaaBs flying starter has done the trick, I do think that i'll try two packs of yeast next time to see if there is a difference, but I can't see how it's going to better this.

Blue touch paper lit

[Wez]

I know DaaB said that enough is enough, but to be honest, I don't mind defying him, i've had a drink and you know, he's in bed, and i feel like i need to tell you that...

FERMENTATION IS GOING VERY WELL, LOTS OF SWIRLING AROUND AND STUFF AND LOTS OF FLUFFY HEAD

Bladdered... YEY!!!!!!

I love you all. (except those on an official register)

[SteveD]

And 5hrs in....

I can see loads of 'yeasty fireworks' shooting up from the bottom of the FV, quite entertaining really.....but also a little sad.

Nice one Wez, a good start to the fermentation. But......I think I win the JBKF Lag Time Handicap stakes for the more yeast camp I had this yeast head in under 3 hrs, below.


and a rocky head at 5hrs. First thing in the morning had the yeast escaping down the blow off pipe and filling the 5L jug. Been out all day at a gig, just got back, and I daren't look in the beer fridge. Don't feel bad though, insane krausens are a speciality of mine

[J_P]

Have you made a mini mash and pitched the whole sachet...how quick did that start? That's 5 times the required amount

I made mine with half a packet and that was bubbling within about 1.5 hours and within three they were trying to get out of both demijohns

[Vossy1]

I for one, will definately be sticking to one 11g pack per brew..

There's no way I have the space required to molly coddle runaway fermentations like that

If I ever do though, I might just try it out of curiosity

My measly 11g Gervin had a 2" head on the beer yesterday within 4 hours.I have started pitching at a higher temp though, which the yeast seem to like.

[SteveD]

Daab, the way I see it is we are using two routes to achieve the same end. The purpose of making a good starter, apart from activating the yeast, is to up the cell count to a point where you're guaranteed to get a good fermentation (all other factors being favourable). Instead of culturing up a starter, the more yeast brigade up the cell count by..using more yeast to start with. I just use more packs, rehydrate when the wort's ready, add a bit to equalise the temperature and pitch..15 mins, or whack in a load of slurry, the more the better, if I've got brewery yeast or reusing.

The basic difference between you and me is you are culturing your extra yeast, I'm just opening another pack!

As I posted on Wez's thread, this sort of debate is very healthy as it ups the standard all round wether by your way or mine. People might take notice, and the '6gram pack, pitch it dry onto the wort and hope for the best' brewers (particularly new brewers, kit brewers, etc) might change their ways and get more consistent and better results. That, surely, is the purpose of this website and forum.

One of the reasons I use more yeast in the summer is because of the greater likelyhood of infection at this time of year. I want the ferment started fast, throrough, and finished fast, but without having it too warm.

[SteveD]

As I posted on Wez's thread,

Sorry, I meant JP's 'Styrian Stunner Dark' thread

[Wez]

Nice one Wez....helluva job on that aeration btw, it'll be interesting to see what sort of attenuation you get now

Took a sample to check gravity at 9.30pm and it's down to 1018 from 1044 in 33 hours the main krausen has almost dissipated now. Probably have drunk this one by the end of next weekend.

[Vossy1]

Probably have drunk this one by the end of next weekend.

A man after my own heart

[delboy]

my own brew using one of DaaBs starters is down from 1052 to 1024 in just over 24 hrs . The krausen has been and gone!!

[delboy]

The basic difference between you and me is you are culturing your extra yeast, I'm just opening another pack!

Personally i don't think this is what is happening the yeast starters are not left long enough to up the yeast number, what they are doing is waking up and adapting to doing their job, and crucially they are adapting to the exact same wort they are going to ferment (ie its taken from the boiler).
I think this is whats behind the quick take off time, not that more yeast are being cultured.
After all a large part of any lag for a microbe is adapting to their conditions ie switching key genes on and off to suit the conditions.

[Wez]

So I guess it's mission accomplished, we've proven that it is possible using 1 packet of yeast prepared in the right way to achieve what you can by simply pitching more yeast (in a low-ish OG beer) (can of worms opened)